Floating mixing chamber for reclaiming machines

ABSTRACT

A support assembly for supporting a mixing chamber of a reclaiming machine having a frame includes a rod member pivotally mounted on the frame at end portions, a stop member, and a L-linkage attached to the rod member. The L-linkage is further attached to the mixing chamber. The stop member is configured to rotate with the movement of the mixing chamber. Further, a float linkage is provided. The float linkage is capable of being abutted with the stop members and pivotally attached to the rod member. The float linkage is configured to stop the rotation of stop member. Further, a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The hydraulic cylinder connected with the float linkage and the frame. The hydraulic cylinder is configured to adjust the float linkage to one of a plurality of positions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to reclaiming machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a floating mixing chamber for the reclaiming machines.

BACKGROUND

Various soil stabilizing and reclaiming machines are known in the earth moving machine industry. Such machines are generally equipped with a rotary cutter for working the soil or road material. The rotary cutter of the reclaiming machines is covered by a hood member that forms an open bottom mixing chamber for mixing additives to the material excavated by the rotary cutter. The mixing chamber supports additive-adding nozzles, fixtures, and other components required for mixing. For effectively mixing the additives to the worked material, bottom surface of the mixing chamber is to be kept in contact with the ground, that is, the mixing chamber should float on the ground by avoiding sinking into the ground while maintaining contact with the ground.

In order to avoid wear and tear of the bottom surface of the mixing chamber and to avoid excessive drag forces on the bottom surface of the chamber, a stopper mechanism is generally provided in existing systems. The stopper mechanism restricts the mixing chamber from sinking deep into the soil on the ground. The stopper mechanism stops the mixing chamber from moving downwards towards or into the soil after a certain amount of movement. However, there may be situations when the amount of movement allowed by the stopper mechanism still lets the mixing chamber sink into the mud during the stabilization process. In these situations, the bottom surface of the mixing chamber may wear out quickly, and may also result in lower fuel economy due to the high amount of drag forces, and lower service life of the ground engaging parts. These effects may lead to higher working costs and reduced life of some parts of the machine.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more of these problems associated with reclaiming machines.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A support assembly is disclosed herein for floating a mixing chamber of a reclaiming machine. The reclaiming machine comprises a rotary cutter, a mixing chamber for covering the rotary cutter, and the support assembly. The support assembly comprises a rod member, an L-linkage, a stop member, a float linkage, and a hydraulic cylinder.

The rod member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The rod member is pivotally supported on a frame of the reclaiming machine at the first end portion and the second end portion. The rod member is further coupled to the L-linkage and the stop member.

The L-linkage includes a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the rod member and the second end is coupled to the mixing chamber. The L-linkage is configured to rotate the rod member due to a movement of the mixing chamber, thereby causing a rotation of the stop member.

The float linkage of the support assembly comprises a base plate, a first section and a second section positioned at opposite ends of the base plate and a spring mounted on the base plate. The first section of the float linkage is in the form of a hollow cylinder pivotally coupled to the rod member. The spring of the float linkage is capable of being abutted with the stop member and configured to stop the rotation of the stop member in a plurality of positions. The second section of the float linkage is pivoted to the hydraulic cylinder.

The hydraulic cylinder is pivoted to the second section of the float linkage and mounted on the frame of the reclaiming machine. The hydraulic cylinder is configured to extend and retract to cause pivoting movement of the float linkage at the first section and adjust a position of the float linkage to one of a plurality of positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a reclaiming machine showing various components in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a support assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged side view of the support assembly associated with the reclaiming machine in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the float linkage associated with the support assembly; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged side view of the support assembly associated with the reclaiming machine in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a reclaiming machine 100 showing various components in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The reclaiming machine 100 comprises a frame 102, a rotary cutter 104, a mixing chamber 106 and a support assembly 108. The frame 102 of the reclaiming machine 100 is configured to support various components. The rotary cutter 104 is configured to mill the soil or road material on the ground. The rotary cutter 104 is covered by a hood member to form an open bottom mixing chamber 106. The mixing chamber 106 includes various components required to mix additives to the worked soil such as nozzles, fixtures, and the like. The mixing chamber 106 has a bottom surface that may be held in contact with the ground to perform effective mixing of the additives with the worked soil. The support assembly 108 is configured to prevent sinking of the mixing chamber 106 into the ground.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the support assembly 108 in accordance with the present disclosure. The support assembly 108 comprises a rod member 202. The rod member 202 can be a metal rod, steel pipe, or similar instrument known in the art. The rod member 202 of the support assembly 108 comprises a first end portion 204 and a second end portion 206. The rod member 202 is pivotally supported on the frame 102 of the reclaiming machine 100 at the first end portion 204 and the second end portion 206 such that the rod member 202 is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis X-X on the frame 102 of the reclaiming machine 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged side view of the support assembly 108 associated with the reclaiming machine 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The support assembly 108 comprises the rod member 202, an L-linkage 208, a stop member 214, a float linkage 216, and a hydraulic cylinder 226.

The rod member 202 of the support assembly 108 is connected to the L-linkage 208. The L-linkage 208 includes a first end 210 and a second end 212. The first end 210 of the L-linkage 208 is coupled to the first end portion 204 of the rod member 202 in a manner such that the rod member 202 rotates with the movement of the L-linkage 208. In other words, the first end 210 of the L-linkage 208 is rigidly attached to the first end portion 204 such that the movement of the L-linkage 208 is transmitted into rotation of the rod member 202.

The second end 212 of the L-linkage 208 can be pivoted at the mixing chamber 106. Hence the L-linkage 208, at the first end is connected with the rod member 202 and at the second end 212 is connected with the mixing chamber 106. The L-linkage 208 is configured to translate a vertically upward and downward movement of the mixing chamber 106 into the rotational movement of the rod member 202. In other words, any movement in the mixing chamber 106 while floating over the ground is translated into rotation of the rod member 202. In an embodiment, one or more L-linkages 208 can be attached with the rod member 202. In one embodiment the L-linkage 208 can be attached at first end portion 204 of the rod member 202. In another embodiment a similar L-linkage can be attached at the second end portion 206 of the rod member 202.

The rod member 202 of the support assembly 108 is also connected to the stop member 214 at the first end portion 204 of the rod member 202. The stop member 214 rotates with the rotation of the rod member 202. Hence, the vertical upward and downward movement of the mixing chamber 106 causes the movement on the rod member 202 and thereby the stop member 214. The vertical movement of the mixing chamber 106 can be translated into rotation of the stop member 214 through the L-linkage 208 and the rod member 202. In alternative embodiments, one or more stop member can be coupled to the rod member 202. In one embodiment, the stop member 214 is coupled at the first end portion 204 of the rod member 202. In another embodiment, a stop member similar to the stop member 214 can be coupled at the second end portion 206 of the rod member 202.

The support assembly 108 further includes the float linkage 216. The magnified view of the float linkages 216 is shown in FIG. 4. The float linkage 216 includes a base plate 218, a first section 220 and a second section 222 disposed on opposite sides of the base plate 218, and a spring 224 mounted on the base plate. The first section 220 of the float linkage 216 is pivotally coupled at the first end portion 204 of the rod member 202. In an embodiment, the first end portion 204 can be a tube section pivoted about the rod member 202. The second section 222 of the float linkage 216 can be pivoted to the hydraulic cylinder 226. Hence, the float linkage 216 is pivoted at the first section 220 and is connected with the hydraulic cylinder 226 at the second section 222. One end of the hydraulic cylinder 226 is connected to the second section 222 of the float linkage 216. The other end of the hydraulic cylinder 226 can be mounted on the frame 102. It can be contemplated that a hydraulic cylinder 226 can be mounted between the second section 222 and the frame 102 of the machine 100. Hence, the float linkage 216 can pivot at the first section 220 based on any movement at second section 222, connected with the hydraulic cylinder 226. The hydraulic cylinder 226 is configured to adjust the position of the float linkage 216. In other words, the hydraulic cylinder 226 is configured to extend and retract thereby causing the movement of the second section 222, thereby leading to pivoting movement of the float linkage 216 at the first section 220 about rod member 202. In an alternative embodiment, the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder 226 can be pivoted at the second section 222 of the float linkage 216, and the head end of the hydraulic cylinder 226 can be mounted on the frame 102. It can be contemplated that the hydraulic cylinder 226 can be linear actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid, and the like.

The base plate 218 of the float linkage 216 can be a flat metal surface. The spring 224 is mounted on the base plate 218. In an embodiment, the spring 224 can be a rubber stopper or a resilient material which can act as a spring. The spring 224 is capable of being abutted with the stop member 214. The spring 224 abuts the stop member 214 connected with the rod member 202 to prevent further movement of the stop member 214.

In an embodiment, a float linkage and a hydraulic cylinder similar to float linkage 216 and the hydraulic cylinder 226 can be mounted at the second end portion 206 of the rod member 202.

Although, the present disclosure is explained with reference to one L-linkage 216, one stop member 214, one float linkage 216, and one hydraulic cylinder 226, it is contemplated that any number of L-linkages 208, stop members 214, float linkages 216, and hydraulic cylinders 226 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In operation, when the mixing chamber 106 moves downwards, the vertical motion of the mixing chamber 106 can be transmitted to the L-linkages 208. The L-linkages 208 further induces a rotary motion in the rod member 202 about the longitudinal axis X-X. The rotation of the rod member 202 causes the stop members 214 to rotate about the axis X-X. The rotation of the stop members 214 is restricted after a certain angle of rotation by the spring 224 of the float linkages 216. This in turn restricts further movement of the mixing chamber 106 after moving for a corresponding depth. In other words, the amount of rotation allowed for the stop members 214 corresponds to the amount of vertical movement allowed to the mixing chamber 106. Hence, the position of the spring 224 on the base plate 218 can be modified to constraint the movement of the stop members 214, and thereby restrict the movement of the mixing chamber 106.

In an embodiment, the amount of movement allowed to the mixing chamber 106 may require to be changed depending on the desired distance of the mixing chamber 106 from the ground. The amount of movement allowed to the mixing chamber 106 may be changed by adjusting the angle between the stop member 214 and the spring 224. In other words, the angular position of the float linkages 216 is modified to adjust the position of the spring 224. The angular position of the float linkages 216 can be adjusted by expanding or retracting the hydraulic cylinders 226. It is contemplated that the expansion of the hydraulic cylinder 226 rotates the float linkage 216 anti clockwise and reduces the angular distance between the stop member 214 and the spring 224. Similarly, retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 226 again rotates the float linkage 216 clockwise, and increases the angular distance between the stop member 214 and the spring 224. Hence, vertical movement of the mixing chamber 106 can be controlled by adjusting a position of the float linkage 216 to one of a plurality of positions.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first sensor may be mounted on the bottom surface of the mixing chamber 106. In another embodiment, the first sensor can be mounted on the frame 102. The first sensor may measure the distance of the mixing chamber 106 from the ground. The first sensor may provide an output corresponding to the distance of the mixing chamber 106 from the ground to a control system. Further, a second sensor and a third sensor may continuously monitor and provide angular position of the float linkage 216 to a control system.

The control system may instruct a controller, based on the output from the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor. The controller may control the expansion and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 226. The hydraulic cylinder 226 may be adjusted at the positions such that, the float linkages 216 may allow a calculated amount of rotation to the stop member 214. The calculated amount of rotation of the stop member 214 allows corresponding amount of movement to the mixing chamber 106.

In an exemplary embodiment, the spring 224 of the float linkage 216 can be about an angle of 30 degree from the stop member 214 which allows the mixing chamber 106 a downward movement of about 245 mm. The first sensor measures the distance between the mixing chamber 106 and the ground to be 200 mm. For restricting the mixing chamber 106, to a movement of 200 mm, the float linkages 216 are to be adjusted such that the angle between the stop member 214 and the spring 224 is of 24 degree. The first sensor gives an output to the control system. The control system activates a controller. The controller controls the hydraulic cylinders 226. The hydraulic cylinders 226 are expanded or retracted to adjust the float linkage 216, hence the angle between the stop member 214 and the spring 224 to 24 degree. The example in the above embodiment may be considered as exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hydraulic cylinders 226 are retracted and the mixing chamber 106 is in up position, that is, the mixing chamber 106 is not engaged with the ground. The float linkage 216 is at maximum angular separation from the stop member 214 while the hydraulic cylinder 226 is fully retracted, thus allowing maximum amount of movement of the mixing chamber 106.

As shown in FIG. 5, the hydraulic cylinder 226 is fully expanded and the mixing chamber 106 is in up position, that is, the mixing chamber 106 is not engaged with the ground. The float linkage 216 is at minimum angular separation with the stop member 214 while the hydraulic cylinder 226 is fully expanded, thus allowing minimum amount of movement of the mixing chamber 106. Therefore, the mixing chamber 106 may be allowed to have a variable amount of vertical movement resulting in flexibility and in controlling the mixing chamber 106 of the earth moving machine 100. The variable range of movement allowed to the mixing chamber 106 reduces wear and tear of the ground engaging parts, decreased drag forces on the earth moving machine 100 resulting in better fuel economy. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support assembly for floating a mixing chamber of an earth working machine having a frame and a mixing chamber, the support assembly comprising: a rod member comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the rod member is pivotally coupled to the frame at the first end portion and the second end portion; an L-linkage comprising a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the rod member and the second end coupled to the mixing chamber, wherein the L-linkage is configured to translate an upward and downward movement of the mixing chamber into rotation of the rod member; a stop member coupled to one of the first end portion and the second end portion of the rod member and configured to rotate with the rotation of the rod member; a float linkage comprising a base plate, a first section, a second section, and a spring mounted on the base plate, wherein the first section is pivotally coupled to one of the first end portion and the second end portion of the rod member, and wherein the spring is capable of being abutted with the stop member; and a hydraulic cylinder attached to the second section of the float linkage, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is configured to extend and retract to cause pivoting movement of the float linkage at the first section and adjust a position of the float linkage to one of a plurality of positions. 